Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Twenty-Five Jewish Nobel Prize Winners
The learned author of the "Random Jottings" column in the
Jewish Observer and Middle East Review of London, England, last
week had this to say about-,"Nobel Prizemen":
"Professor Selman Abraham Waksman, who has just been
awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, is the twenty-fifth Jew
to receive a Nobel prize since these awards for distinction in the
realms of scientific discovery, literature, and peace efforts, were
instituted by Alfred Nobel. He is also the eleventh Jew to receive
the prize for Medicine. his predecessors having been Paul Ehrlich
(1908). Alexis Carrel (1912), Robert Baranyi (1915), Otto Meyer-
hof (1923), Karl Landsteiner (1930), Otto H. Warburg (1931),
Otto Loewi (1936), Joseph Erlanger (1944), Ernst Boris Chain
(1945),. and Tadeus Reichstein (1950). Although born in Russia,
Professor Waksman has lived by far the greater part of his life
in the United States, which is therefore entitled to share in the
honour. Six other American Jewish scientists have been Nobel
laureates, three for Medicine (Carrel. Landsteiner, and Erlan-
ger), and three for physics (Albert Michelson, Otto Stern, and
Isidor Isaac Rabi). Germany was the native country of as many
OR nine Jewish Nobel prizemen, but of these one, Professor
Chain, had lived in England long enough before receiving the
award to entitle this country to bask in the reflected glory. So
far as I have been able to ascertain. Jews now form about 12
per cent of the total list of Nobel prizemen, and if we include
four half-Jews (Metchnikoff for medicine, Adolf von Bayer for
chemistry, Paul Heyse for literature, and Niels Bohr for physics),
the proportion would be still higher."
Our distinguished confrere was wrong in one respect: Prof.
Landsteiner should have been listed among "former Jews." It will
be recalled that when he received the Nobel Prize and was listed
in a Jewish Who's Who, he denied being Jewish, although it has
m established that his background IS Jewish.
In any event, the Jewish Nobel prize winners represent a dis-
tinguished group in all walks of life.
There have been criticisms of some of the literary awards,
and it has been contended that a number of Jews, on different
occasions, should have been considered for the Nobel literature
prizes. The difference of opinion must be judged as a difference
in judgment. In the main, the selectors of Nobel Prizewinners
appear always to have been fair.
-
Dr. Weizmann's Relationship to the British Authorities
Dr. Chaim Weizmann's place in history will be a subject for
comment and discussion for many years to come. He will remain
among the unforgettable personalities in Jewish history. But there
always will be some who will contend that he was too lenient
with the British. Revisionists have incorporated this charge in
the annals of our history. There are some who disagree. For in-
stance, Michael Marcus, in a letter published in the London Jewish
Chronicle, stated:
"I had the unforgettable privilege of close association with
Dr. Weizmann when I was M.P. for Dundee in the 1929 Parlia- •
ment and acted as Hon. Secretary of the Parliamentary Pales-
tine Committee, of which Sir Herbert (now Viscount) Samuel
was then Chairman, and Col. Josh. Wedgwood, Vice-Chairman.
In those hectic days of intense Zionist propaganda and endless
'lobbying' I introduced Dr. Weizmann to several members of Mr.
Ramsay MacDonald's Cabinet and was present at the talks he
had :with them. Dr. Weizmann's dynamic personality was always
predominant, and all were deeply impressed by his remarkable
diplomatic skill in dealing with criticism.
"Those who innocently assume that Dr. Weizmann was too
lenient towards British Governments are unaware of certain
incidents behind the scenes. On one occasion I was present at a
talk Dr. Weizmann had with the then Prime Minister, Mr. Ram-
say MacDonald, regarding the Passfield White Paper, when Dr.
Weizmann indicted the Government with a degree of vigour,
vehemence, and determination that not even the most rabid Re-
visionist could have surpassed. Later the same day, when I ran
into the Prime Minister in the Lobby he remarked: Weizmarin
knows when to bring up the heavy artillery with the greatest
effect. He is most adroit. In Scotland he would be called a "bon-
nie fechter'." During this difficult period I received an urgent
personal letter from the Prime Minister, in which grave allega-
tions were made, and which obviously called for immediate ac-
tion by the Zionist leader. I found Dr. Weizmann at Sir Simon
Marks' home and showed him the letter, with its provocative
references. in a state of great indignation he paced up and down
the room; and after we had discussed the letter for over two
hours he 'said, with tears in his eyes: 'No Government is strong
enough to repeal Jewish history. Our achievements in Palestine
will destroy the Passfield White Paper. WE are the accusers,
THEY are the accused'."
It is important that this should be placed on record. Dr. Weiz-
mann himself has stated, in his memoirs and other papers, that
it was unreasonable to expect of him to "bank on diplomatic
tables" whenever he pleaded the Jewish cause. There were times—
they were more numerous than those when he was able to act
very firmly—that called for discretion, and he was a master of
prudence and discreetness. Honor to the man who knew how to
protect his people's dignity.
Ariazaroff Honors
Founding Members
Founding members of A-rl-aza-
roff branch of Jewish National
Workers' Alliance (Farband)
A city-wide mass rally and
were honored Sunday night at
the 18th anniversary banquet i conference on Jan. 11, at Temple
I Israel, will mark the formal
at Holiday Manor.
Y. Almogi, chairman . of the launching of the 1953 Israel His-
Haifa Labor Council, and Louis ! tadrut Campaign. The meeting
Segal, general secretary of Far- also will mark the initial step
band, were the guest speakers. toward realization of the local
Participants in the program project to establish a Detroit
included Sylvia Nesson, Soprano, - surgical pavilion in the Eliezer
accompanied by Rebecca Froh- Kaplan Memorial Hospital at
man; Harry Schumer, Arlaza- Rehovoth, Israel.
Rudolph Halley, president of
roff president; Morris Schaver,
who was toastmaster; William the New York City Council, will
Gayman, Morris Lieberman, Ben be guest speaker at the rally.
Harold and other members of Halley, who made headlines
when he was
the branch.
prosecutor f o r
the Kefauver
Detroiter Elected
Crime Investi-
gating Commit-
To Head Council in
tee, has for
Frankfurt, Germany
many years been
a friend and
Sgt. Harry Rosenberg, son of
Mrs. Katie Rosenberg of Detroit,
supporter of the
has been elected president of
Israel labor
the Jewish Council of 'Frankfurt,
Halley movem ent, as
Germany, his family was in-
characterized by Histadrut.
formed this week.
Sharing the program with
Stationed at the hospital in
Frankfurt, Sgt. Rosenberg, . who Halley will be Ruth Kobart,
has been in service for two years mezzo-soprano, who has been
in Germany, has taken an ac- acclaimed by Jewish audiences
tive interest in Jewish commun- everywhere for her presenta-
al affairs. His sister, Miss Matil- tions of Israeli and Yiddish folk
da Rosenberg, a teacher at the songs. The talented singer will
Thirkell School, plans to visit include in her program several
him in Germany in the summer. operatic arias.
As this week marked the
Dr. Jacob Shatzky to Be
32nd anniversary of the found-
ing • of the Histadrut in Israel,
Sholem Aleichem Guest
Morris Lieberman, chairman
At Lectures Jan. 9, 10
of the local campaign stated
The Sholem Aleichem Institute that initial responses from
will begin its 1953 lecture series meetings of Landsmanshaft-
by presenting Dr. Jacob Shatzky, en, Labor Zionist Organiza-
noted historian, member of the tion,' Farband and Pioneer
YIVO directorate, librarian of Women, were very gratifying.
He was particularly enthusi-
the Psychiatric Institute of New
York, who will deliver two lec- astic over the success of the
tures on Friday and Saturday, Landsmanshaften section,
which, "because of the extreme
Jan. 9 and 10.
He will be the guest at the humanitarian benefits of this
Oneg Shabbat of the Institute years drive," pledged its greatest
on Friday, Jan. 9, 9 p.m. His lec- commitment—$100,000.
The Keshiner Society offered
ture will be in Yiddish on the
theme "Jews of Spain—the First an example of the cooperation
Planners of the State of Israel." that can be expected, Lieberman
Chapter II of the Sholem said, when the group voluntarily
Aleichem Institute will sponsor raised its quota from $1,000 to
the second lecture, which will $2,000, -an increase of 100 per-
be delivered in English, on Sat- cent.
Many groups were stirred to
urday, Jan. 10, 9 p.m. The topic
will be: "Psychology of Jewish action by Major Yosef Almogi,
secretary of the Haifa Labor
Humor."
Both lectures will be held at Council of Histadrut. Here to
the Institute, 18495 Wyoming,. promote the campaign, Almogi
near Curtis. The public is in- addressed all divisions of the
campaign last . week.
vited.
Earlier 'this week, prior to his
Detroit Educators Host departure for Israel which cut
Midwestern Conference
The sixth annual conference
of Jewish educators will be held
the week-end of Jan. 9-11, in
the Statler Hotel here. Educators
will discuss specific problems,
with which men in their field
must cope.
Out of town guest speakers
will include Dr. Samuel M. Blum-
field, president of the College of
Jewish Studies, Chicago; Dr. Is-
rael T. Naamani, director of Jew-
ish education, Louisville; Mark
M. Krug, associate superinten-
dent of school, Board of Jewish
Education, Chicago; Louis Huff-
man, president, National Coun-
cil of Jewish Education; and
Yosef Schub, acting president,
Midwest Conference of Jewish
Charles Maurras
Evidence Against the Anti Semite
Educators.
A short time ago, your Commentator called attention to the
Local arrangerrients are being
tragic record of the French anti-Semite, Charles Maurras, who made by Bernard Isaacs and Al-
died last month. The Paris London Jewish Chronicle correspon- bert Elazar.
dent's comment is an interesting addendum to our statement. We
quote him:
Deadline Notice
"The 84-year-old doyen of. French anti-semites, Charles
Maurras, died peacefully at a nursing home last week, after
For New Chairmen
a life dedicated to hatred and violence. His long career of Jew-
Many organizations in the
baiting, begun during the celebrated Dreyfus case, reached its
'community change officers
climax during the Second World War, when, under the German
after the first of the year
occupation, he diligently helped to stoke the furnaces of Ausch-
resulting in the appointments
witz by denouncing individual Jews in his fascist paper Action
of new publicity chairmen.
Francaise.
We at The Jewish News wish
"After the liberation he was condemned to lifelong imprison-
to call to their attention the
ment for collaborating with the enemy and was expelled from
deadlines in effect weekly
the circle of 'immortals' in the Academie Francaise, to which he
throughout the year:
had gained admittance for his neo-classical writings. Released
Editorial matter: 2 p.m.,
from prison last March,on medical grounds, he immediately re-
Monday, preceding Friday of
sumed his vicious anti-Jewish propaganda in Aspects de la
publication.
France, successor to Action Francaise. A police charge • of 'incite-
Photographs: 9 a.m., Mon-
ment to racial hatred' was pending against him at the time of
day.
his death."
Display advertising: 4 p.m.,
Just as the Haman and Hitler and Pobedonostzev records are
Tuesday.
important as reminders of the brutality, so the Maurras story must
Classified advertising: 10
be told. It may help us be on vigilant guard against others of his
a.m., Wednesday.
ilk who may arise to plague us.
—
-
Rudolph Halley to Appear
Here As Histadrut Speaker
short his visit here, Major Al-
mogi spoke at a meeting of De-
troit labor leaders.
He explained the functions of
the Histadrut as building up the
country, rebuilding the nation
and protecting the worker. He
told his audience of fascinated.
union brethren that Histadrut
now affects the lives of two-
thirds of the tiny nation's 1,-
500,000 population, and added
that 80 per .-cent of all workers
enjoyed the benefits of member-
ship in the organization.
All of the union representa-
tives promised- moral backing
to the Histadrut drive for $10,-
000,000 nationally and $300,-
000 locally. .Many promised
outright 'financial aid. Repre-
sentatives of both CIO and
AFL were present.
Drive spokesmen have an-
nounced that beginning at 11:15
a.m., this Sunday, a series of
programs, `Histadrut on the Air,"
will be broadcast over station
WJLB. Morris 'Lieberman will
be this Sunday's speaker. The
program is directed by Louis
Levine.
Future broadcasts will high-
light local campaign news and
comments on Israel. Prominent
local and Israeli speakers will
be heard on the program, which.
will explain the work on behalf
of the campaign and the efforts
being made to finance the Kap-
lan Hospital.
Kupat Holim Advances
The Atom for Peace
Kupat Holim, the Histadrut
Medical- Organization, will estab
lish an "Isotope Unit" at the
Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tik-
vah, Israel, where radioactive
isotopes—by-products of nuclear
fission—will be used for diagno-
sis, therapeutic and medical re-
search, Dr. Sigmund Levitus,
slated to head the new unit, dis-
closed.
Dr. Levitus arrived in the
United States to study the appli-
cation of isotopes in different
fields of medicine. He has al-
ready begun studies at Mount
Sinai and Montefiore Hospitals
in New York and is scheduled to
leave for Oak. Ridge, Tenn., for
advanced training in February,
1953.
2 — THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, January 2, 1953
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
ECopyright, 1952, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency,
Inc.)
New Year's Cheer
American Zionist leadership is very happy with the compo
sition of the new Israel Cabinet . . . The new coalition in Israel
will definitely have its effect on the Zionist movement in the
United States and it will make much easier the planned reorgan-
ization of the American Zionist Council . . . This does not mean
that there are no more people in the Zionist Organization of
America who prefer to adopt a "wait and see" policy . . . Some
ZOA leaders are not yet satisfied that Premier David Ben-Gurion,
will stick to his agreement with the General Zionists in Israel for
any lngth of time . . . However, even they do not minimize the
beneficial effects of the new partnership in Israel between the
Mapai and the General Zionists on Zionist work in the United
States . . . Some are inclined to see the new partnership as an
indirect outcome of the election of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower .
Pro-Silverites even hint that Ben-Gurion's move in the direction
of the General Zionists may bring Dr. Abba Hillel Silver back
into active Zionist leadership in the country . . . However, I think
Dr. Silver is not keen at present to seek any official position in
the American Zionist movement.
*
*
Things to Come
Is it true that Washington indicated to leaders of American
Jewish organizations that they should take a back seat for the
time being on the demand for reparations from Austria? . . . The
Austrian Foreign Minister, Dr. Karl Gruber, who came to the
United States to plead the case of Austria's sovereignty before the
United Nations, had it much easier than he anticipated . He
expected a lot of embarrassing questions by Jewish leaders in New
York as to why the Austrian government had suddenly backed
out of its promise to start reparations talks with American Jewish
groups . . :However, it seems that the interested Jewish groups
took the State Department hint not to press the reparations issue
until after the general elections in Austria . . All indications
point to the fact that the Austrian government does not contem-
plate avoiding the promised talks with Jewish leaders ... In fact,
renewed assurances to this effect were privately received in New
York by the Jewish Labor Committee from the Austrian Vice,
Chancellor, who is a leader of the Austrian Socialist Party . .
The entire issue will be revived after the Austrian Parliamentary
.
elections on Feb. 22.
'